Drinking in Boston, Never too Pricey

Raiding the Leftovers, Part 2: The Negroni

Last week I wrote about the Boulevardier, so naturally we should look at the Negroni this week. The Negroni is a classic cocktail that has inspired an impressive number of variations, and has developed a cult following. Don’t believe me? Check out this blog specifically dedicated to the Negroni! Just like with the Boulevardier, I’m going to go with the original proportions. Once you’ve tried the original, feel free to experiment with different ratios, like 1.5 oz of gin to 3/4 oz each of Campari and sweet vermouth.

DirectionsAdd ice and water to a coupe to chill, or chill the glass in the freezer ahead of time. Fill a shaker or pint glass with ice and add the liquors. Stir vigorously with a spoon. Empty the coupe (if needed), and strain into the glass. Garnish with a lemon or an orange peel.

A Little Bit Deeper

For this recipe I used Rear Admiral Joseph’s gin (Trader Joe’s House brand) and Dolin sweet vermouth. Campari is a specific brand of amaro, which is a family of Italian herbal digestif liqueurs. Aperol is a popular substitution for Campari because it’s slightly sweeter and less bitter. If you like these types of flavors, try experimenting with different types of amaros by themselves or in combination with each other.

*As an experiment, I tried out using equal parts Carpano Antica and Dolin sweet vermouths. Another variation might be to use Punt e Mes, a different type of sweet vermouth. Happy experimenting!